Subject: Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Kayla C.

From	Autism Speaks <[email protected]>
Subject	Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Kayla C.
Date	November 30, 2023 1:56 PM

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View in browser [[link removed]
ef24e9949b38f4edc0c0e9d7ed8/5/688/d09e1cb6-3b92-4837-8eeb-f054f6969549]
[[link removed]
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=C2=A0
Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud t=
o share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understa=
nding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
Meet Kayla C., 34: Navigating life with a little help from her friends, thi=
s aspiring dietician is proving that a little self-belief can go a long way
Diagnosed with autism at 9, Kayla C. could not quite grasp what her autism =
diagnosis meant for her future. That was until she got to middle school and=
was introduced to Heather Burke, Director of Sports & Wellness at Special =
Olympics Michigan.
=E2=80=9CWhen I first met Heather, I had no idea what direction I wanted to=
take with my life. I didn't believe in myself,=E2=80=9D said Kayla. =E2=80=
=9CHeather saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself at the time. S=
he always believed in my abilities, which served as the catalyst for positi=
ve developments in my life.=E2=80=9D
[[link removed]
ions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D1130=
23hse]
Thanks to Heather=E2=80=99s support, today Kayla competes in eight sports w=
ith Special Olympics Michigan. She=E2=80=99s learned that by accepting her =
diagnosis, she can help others. She=E2=80=99s now a supervisor for the ski =
and snowboarding program at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. Outside of sp=
orts, she is in college studying to become a registered dietician.
=C2=A0
At work, she=E2=80=99s become a champion of inclusive hiring. When she was =
26, she landed a job as a cashier at Dollar General, eventually working her=
way up to on-duty manager. When someone with an intellectual disability ap=
plied for a job, her manager was on the fence about hiring the person, but =
Kalya was an advocate.
=C2=A0
=E2=80=9CI told him, =E2=80=98you gave me a chance, now let=E2=80=99s give =
him a chance,=E2=80=99=E2=80=9D recalled Kayla. =E2=80=9CThat applicant qui=
ckly became our best cashier and helped us raise more than $3,000 in just o=
ne month for Autism Speaks during a fundraising campaign, making us the top=
grossing store in Michigan and one of the top in the entire country.=E2=80=
=9D
Hear more about Kayla's story and the special people who have helped her al=
ong her journey in this Q&A: [[link removed]
la-c?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectru=
mspotlight&utm_content=3D113023hse]
When you first received your diagnosis or found out that you were on the sp=
ectrum, what were some of the first thoughts that ran through your mind?
One of my first thoughts was, "I=E2=80=99m not autistic; there isn't anythi=
ng wrong with me." I had a difficult time accepting being different, yet I =
already knew that I didn't fit in with my peers. I recall many days sitting=
alone and no one talking to me at school. As I aged, I learned that it was=
fine to be different and I=C2=A0learned to love who I am. I began providin=
g speeches to high school and college-age kids about the challenges and lea=
rning to understand what it meant to be autistic.
What are some of the resources, therapies, etc., that have helped you throu=
gh the years?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been a helpful tre=
atment for me, along with talk therapy. Also, being involved with Special O=
lympics helped with my confidence and making long-lasting friendships. Addi=
tionally, Special Olympics keeps me physically active, which can be a commo=
n issue for individuals with special needs. One resource that has also been=
helpful was finding a job where the boss doesn't shame, compare, ostracize=
or demean me. The job I have now, my boss treats me with respect and encou=
rages me to grow. Working has been a huge asset to my growth.
[[link removed]
ions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D1130=
23hse]
Can you talk about the impact friends/supporters have had on your trajector=
y in life?
While I was growing up, I was fortunate to have such an amazing mother and =
amazing sisters who were both so wonderful and who never stopped fighting f=
or me. They made it their top priority to ensure that I got off to the best=
possible start in life. When I was in middle school, my mom was told about=
Special Olympics Michigan. I'm thankful she did because that is how I met =
Heather Burke.
=C2=A0
Heather is someone when you hang around her long enough, she=E2=80=99ll end=
up getting you to believe in yourself and seeing that you are making a dif=
ference. For the first time last year, I told myself I was proud of myself.=
I was so excited, the first person I told was Heather. Heather has had a s=
ignificant impact on my life. She=E2=80=99s always told me, "You've done th=
e work; I've just been there to support you.=E2=80=9D
How has your autism shaped you into the person you are today?
Growing up autistic was difficult, but it shaped me into the confident and =
self-reliant woman I am today. It has also given me the opportunity to be a=
n advocate for others and a voice for those who do not have one.
How do you discover your passion for nutrition along your path to becoming =
a dietician?
I found my passion for nutrition by developing and designing a seven-week c=
ooking class for Special Olympics Michigan athletes called =E2=80=9CLet's G=
et Healthy Together.=E2=80=9D Through this cooking class, I met Nick Caudle=
, who works for Special Olympics Michigan. As I worked with Nick, I started=
really loving nutrition and wanted to serve my Special Olympics athletes e=
ven more. Nick encouraged me to reach for the stars and told me that he=E2=
=80=99d be here for me in whatever capacity I needed. Thanks to Nick and my=
cooking class, I found my path to go to school to become a registered diet=
itian.
[[link removed]
ions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D1130=
23hse]
When facing new challenges and life changes, how do you cope with the anxie=
ties that can come along with that?
Through EMDR, I was able to acquire the skills necessary to manage my anxie=
ty. Prior to this therapy, this was something I struggled with. The beginni=
ng of a new academic year or a new job used to be challenging, but with the=
help of EMDR therapy, this is no longer the case.
When you reflect on your life to this point, of what are you most proud?
Getting this far! I didn't let my disability limit who I am or what I can d=
o. This year, I got my executive leadership certificate, which was one of t=
he proudest times of my life because I worked so hard to get it.
What is your connection to Autism Speaks and how has the organization touch=
ed your life or the lives of others in the autism community?
I first learned about Autism Speaks when I worked at Dollar General, and we=
were raising money for the organization which helped me learn about how th=
e organization was improving the lives of people like me by creating a more=
welcoming and accepting workplace.
[[link removed]
ions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D1130=
23hse]
What advice can you give to other young autistic adults who are entering in=
to a new stage of life?
Never let anyone tell you what you can and can't accomplish because of your=
disability and never let your disability define who you are. Go out and sh=
ow the world what you are capable of and how amazing you are.
What are some things you wish neurotypical people understood better about p=
eople with autism?
I wish people understood that just because we have autism does not mean we =
are incapable of doing things. That has happened to me throughout my life, =
and I=E2=80=99ve been constantly fighting to disprove it.
=C2=A0
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Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
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are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.=
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friends, this aspiring dietician is proving that a little self-belief can =
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style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helve=
tica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: break=
-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: =
10px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; ver=
tical-align: top; width: 100%; min-width: 100%;
border-bottom-width: 1px;
border-bottom-color: #000000;
border-bottom-style: none;" width=3D"100%"=
>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border: 0 none transparent; pa=
dding: 0; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; font-size: 0; line-height: 0;">=
=C2=A0</td>
</tr>
</table> =20
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><span style=3D"font-size:12px"><em>Each au=
tistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share=
their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding a=
nd acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span</em></span>=
</span></span></p>
</td>
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</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"61" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: =
5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>Meet Kayla C., 34: Navigating lif=
e with a little help from her friends, this aspiring dietician is proving t=
hat a little self-belief can go a long way</strong></span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Diagnosed w=
ith autism at 9, Kayla C. could not quite grasp what her autism diagnosis m=
eant for her future. That was until she got to middle school and was introd=
uced to Heather Burke, Director of Sports & Wellness at Special Olympics Mi=
chigan.</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">=E2=80=9CWh=
en I first met Heather, I had no idea what direction I wanted to take with =
my life. I didn't believe in myself,=E2=80=9D said Kayla. =E2=80=9CHeather =
saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself at the time. She always b=
elieved in my abilities, which served as the catalyst for positive developm=
ents in my life.=E2=80=9D</span></span></p>
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</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
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</div><div styl=
e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
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aWNrZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3R=
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29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC01OGQwY2Q0ODA3NGU0YTYy=
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4YiJ9/3kPJe5civ70xwjFo0qf8Og" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"9" ><img =
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-d7b3027af1a3 no-img-edit" height=
=3D"329" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/kaylaacceptinganexecut=
iveleadershipaward.jpg" alt=3D"Kayla accepting an executive leadership awa=
rd" /></a>
</td>
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</div>

</td>
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</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"62" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Thanks to Heather=E2=80=99s support, toda=
y Kayla competes in eight sports with Special Olympics Michigan. She=E2=80=
=99s learned that by accepting her diagnosis, she can help others. She=E2=
=80=99s now a supervisor for the ski and snowboarding program at the YMCA o=
f Greater Grand Rapids. Outside of sports, she is in college studying to be=
come a registered dietician.</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">At work, sh=
e=E2=80=99s become a champion of inclusive hiring. When she was 26, she lan=
ded a job as a cashier at Dollar General, eventually working her way up to =
on-duty manager. When someone with an intellectual disability applied for a=
job, her manager was on the fence about hiring the person, but Kalya was a=
n advocate.</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">=E2=80=9CI =
told him, =E2=80=98you gave me a chance, now let=E2=80=99s give him a chanc=
e,=E2=80=99=E2=80=9D recalled Kayla. =E2=80=9CThat applicant quickly became=
our best cashier and helped us raise more than $3,000 in just one month fo=
r Autism Speaks during a fundraising campaign, making us the top grossing s=
tore in Michigan and one of the top in the entire country.=E2=80=9D</span><=
/span></p>
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</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"63" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><em><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px=
"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" =
href=3D"[link removed]
WNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0=
Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNThkMGNkNDgwNzRlNGE2Mjk5OTJkNzdmZjViYmNhN2IiLCJycSI6IjAyLWI=
yMzMzNC04NWQyZmVmMjRlOTk0OWIzOGY0ZWRjMGMwZTlkN2VkOCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYW=
xzZSwidWkiOiI0IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wc=
m9maWxlL21lZXQta2F5bGEtYz91dG1fc291cmNlPWNsaWNrZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVt=
PWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWdodCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0xMTMwMjN=
oc2UmX2NsZGVlPWk0bkFXOWFBSEkyLWgtY0pNcERjbFIxUW9SUEpMV3A5NFZMOU1HZWtLVnBpd1=
VINmd0Yk5nY3h4X0ozZDNnS1AmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxO=
DE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC01OGQwY2Q0ODA3NGU0YTYyOTk5MmQ3N2ZmNWJiY2E3YiZlc2lkPTFl=
MGI2MjU3LTJlOGUtZWUxMS05MTNhLTAwMTU1ZGNjM2E4YiJ9/zbz-Srq96FyHIa7qko3p_Q" ta=
rget=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Hear =
more about Kayla's story and the special people who have helped her along h=
er journey in this Q&A:</a></span></span></strong></em></p>
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</tbody>
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</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"64" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When you first received your diag=
nosis or found out that you were on the spectrum, what were some of the fir=
st thoughts that ran through your mind?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">One of my first thoughts was, "I=E2=80=99=
m not autistic; there isn't anything wrong with me." I had a difficult time=
accepting being different, yet I already knew that I didn't fit in with my=
peers. I recall many days sitting alone and no one talking to me at school=
. As I aged, I learned that it was fine to be different and I=C2=A0</span><=
/span><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,A=
rial">learned to love who I am. I began providing speeches to high school a=
nd college-age kids about the challenges and learning to understand what it=
meant to be autistic.</span></span></p>
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width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


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=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
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tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
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ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are some of the resources, t=
herapies, etc., that have helped you through the years?</span></span></stro=
ng></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Eye movement desensitization and reproces=
sing (EMDR) has been a helpful treatment for me, along with talk therapy. A=
lso, being involved with Special Olympics helped with my confidence and mak=
ing long-lasting friendships. Additionally, Special Olympics keeps me physi=
cally active, which can be a common issue for individuals with special need=
s. One resource that has also been helpful was finding a job where the boss=
doesn't shame, compare, ostracize or demean me. The job I have now, my bos=
s treats me with respect and encourages me to grow. Working has been a huge=
asset to my growth.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"66" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
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4YiJ9/bEOAkAu6xoR3WrJ_Lf0gxw" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"22" ><img=
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-ce7b7e9b1b6d no-img-edit" height=
=3D"331" width=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/kaylac.holdingherymcas=
taffbadge.jpg" alt=3D"Kayla C. holding her YMCA staff badge" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"67" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Can you talk about the impact fri=
ends/supporters have had on your trajectory in life?</span></span></strong>=
</p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">While I was growing up, I was fortunate t=
o have such an amazing mother and amazing sisters who were both so wonderfu=
l and who never stopped fighting for me. They made it their top priority to=
ensure that I got off to the best possible start in life. When I was in mi=
ddle school, my mom was told about Special Olympics Michigan. I'm thankful =
she did because that is how I met Heather Burke.</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Heather is =
someone when you hang around her long enough, she=E2=80=99ll end up getting=
you to believe in yourself and seeing that you are making a difference. Fo=
r the first time last year, I told myself I was proud of myself. I was so e=
xcited, the first person I told was Heather. Heather has had a significant =
impact on my life. She=E2=80=99s always told me, "You've done the work; I'v=
e just been there to support you.=E2=80=9D</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"68" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">How has your autism shaped you in=
to the person you are today?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Growing up autistic was difficult, but it=
shaped me into the confident and self-reliant woman I am today. It has als=
o given me the opportunity to be an advocate for others and a voice for tho=
se who do not have one.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"69" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">How do you discover your passion =
for nutrition along your path to becoming a dietician?</span></span></stron=
g></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I found my passion for nutrition by devel=
oping and designing a seven-week cooking class for Special Olympics Michiga=
n athletes called =E2=80=9CLet's Get Healthy Together.=E2=80=9D Through thi=
s cooking class, I met Nick Caudle, who works for Special Olympics Michigan=
. As I worked with Nick, I started really loving nutrition and wanted to se=
rve my Special Olympics athletes even more. Nick encouraged me to reach for=
the stars and told me that he=E2=80=99d be here for me in whatever capacit=
y I needed. Thanks to Nick and my cooking class, I found my path to go to s=
chool to become a registered dietitian.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
</tbody>
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</td>
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</table>
</div><div styl=
e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
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<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; background-image: url('[link removed]
.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/placeholderimage.png?m=3D6/21/2022%207:12:=
33%20PM'); padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; paddin=
g-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
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4YiJ9/i8O8sy2qckpvyWn_rHg2FQ" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"32" ><img=
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-d380178dac91 no-img-edit" height=
=3D"426" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/kaylac.holdingherskieq=
uipment.jpg" alt=3D"Kayla C. holding her ski equipment" /></a>
</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"70" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When facing new challenges and li=
fe changes, how do you cope with the anxieties that can come along with tha=
t?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Through EMDR, I was able to acquire the s=
kills necessary to manage my anxiety. Prior to this therapy, this was somet=
hing I struggled with. The beginning of a new academic year or a new job us=
ed to be challenging, but with the help of EMDR therapy, this is no longer =
the case.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"71" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When you reflect on your life to =
this point, of what are you most proud?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Getting this far! I didn't let my disabil=
ity limit who I am or what I can do. This year, I got my executive leadersh=
ip certificate, which was one of the proudest times of my life because I wo=
rked so hard to get it.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"72" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What is your connection to Autism=
Speaks and how has the organization touched your life or the lives of othe=
rs in the autism community?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I first learned about Autism Speaks when =
I worked at Dollar General, and we were raising money for the organization =
which helped me learn about how the organization was improving the lives of=
people like me by creating a more welcoming and accepting workplace.</span=
></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div styl=
e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNThkMGNkNDgwNzRlNGE2Mjk5OTJ=
kNzdmZjViYmNhN2IiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzMzNC04NWQyZmVmMjRlOTk0OWIzOGY0ZWRjMGMwZT=
lkN2VkOCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxMCIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzO=
i8vd3d3LmF1dGlzbXNwZWFrcy5vcmcvcHJvZmlsZS9tZWV0LWtheWxhLWM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1j=
bGlja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG9=
0bGlnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MTEzMDIzaHNlJl9jbGRlZT1pNG5BVzlhQUhJMi1oLWNKTXBEY2=
xSMVFvUlBKTFdwOTRWTDlNR2VrS1ZwaXdVSDZndGJOZ2N4eF9KM2QzZ0tQJnJlY2lwaWVudGlkP=
WNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNThkMGNkNDgwNzRlNGE2=
Mjk5OTJkNzdmZjViYmNhN2ImZXNpZD0xZTBiNjI1Ny0yZThlLWVlMTEtOTEzYS0wMDE1NWRjYzN=
hOGIifQ/IA3znC-o-sEH5DQNrSQ4tg" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"43" ><i=
mg class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-5d19f27b2b2e no-img-edit" heigh=
t=3D"283" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
le-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/kaylaandfriendssmilin=
gatanevent.jpg" alt=3D"Kayla and friends smiling at an event" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"73" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What advice can you give to other=
young autistic adults who are entering into a new stage of life?</span></s=
pan></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Never let anyone tell you what you can an=
d can't accomplish because of your disability and never let your disability=
define who you are. Go out and show the world what you are capable of and =
how amazing you are.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"74" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are some things you wish neu=
rotypical people understood better about people with autism?</span></span><=
/strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I wish people understood that just becaus=
e we have autism does not mean we are incapable of doing things. That has h=
appened to me throughout my life, and I=E2=80=99ve been constantly fighting=
to disprove it.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"75" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 16px; padding-=
right: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:568px; max-width:568px; min-width:568p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"568px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 568px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"528" class=3D"text-block-container" =
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helve=
tica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: break=
-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: =
20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; ver=
tical-align: top; width: 100%; min-width: 100%;
border-bottom-width: 1px;
border-bottom-color: #000000;
border-bottom-style: none;" width=3D"100%"=
>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border: 0 none transparent; pa=
dding: 0; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; font-size: 0; line-height: 0;">=
=C2=A0</td>
</tr>
</table> =20
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"536" class=3D"button-block-container=
"
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: norm=
al;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;co=
lor:#000; word-wrap: break-word !important; white-space: normal;
padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; padding=
-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px; text-align: center;">



<a class=3D"button-link" style=3D"display: block;" href=3D"[link removed]
autismspeaks.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC=
5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNThkM=
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uIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLmRvbm9yc3VwcG9ydC5jby8tL1hHREpFQ0=
pOP19jbGRlZT1pNG5BVzlhQUhJMi1oLWNKTXBEY2xSMVFvUlBKTFdwOTRWTDlNR2VrS1ZwaXdVS=
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[[link removed]]

Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
Meet Kayla C., 34: Navigating life with a little help from her friends, this aspiring dietician is proving that a little self-belief can go a long way
Diagnosed with autism at 9, Kayla C. could not quite grasp what her autism diagnosis meant for her future. That was until she got to middle school and was introduced to Heather Burke, Director of Sports & Wellness at Special Olympics Michigan.
“When I first met Heather, I had no idea what direction I wanted to take with my life. I didn't believe in myself,” said Kayla. “Heather saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself at the time. She always believed in my abilities, which served as the catalyst for positive developments in my life.”
[[link removed]]
Thanks to Heather’s support, today Kayla competes in eight sports with Special Olympics Michigan. She’s learned that by accepting her diagnosis, she can help others. She’s now a supervisor for the ski and snowboarding program at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. Outside of sports, she is in college studying to become a registered dietician.

At work, she’s become a champion of inclusive hiring. When she was 26, she landed a job as a cashier at Dollar General, eventually working her way up to on-duty manager. When someone with an intellectual disability applied for a job, her manager was on the fence about hiring the person, but Kalya was an advocate.

“I told him, ‘you gave me a chance, now let’s give him a chance,’” recalled Kayla. “That applicant quickly became our best cashier and helped us raise more than $3,000 in just one month for Autism Speaks during a fundraising campaign, making us the top grossing store in Michigan and one of the top in the entire country.”
Hear more about Kayla's story and the special people who have helped her along her journey in this Q&A: [[link removed]]
When you first received your diagnosis or found out that you were on the spectrum, what were some of the first thoughts that ran through your mind?
One of my first thoughts was, "I’m not autistic; there isn't anything wrong with me." I had a difficult time accepting being different, yet I already knew that I didn't fit in with my peers. I recall many days sitting alone and no one talking to me at school. As I aged, I learned that it was fine to be different and I learned to love who I am. I began providing speeches to high school and college-age kids about the challenges and learning to understand what it meant to be autistic.
What are some of the resources, therapies, etc., that have helped you through the years?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been a helpful treatment for me, along with talk therapy. Also, being involved with Special Olympics helped with my confidence and making long-lasting friendships. Additionally, Special Olympics keeps me physically active, which can be a common issue for individuals with special needs. One resource that has also been helpful was finding a job where the boss doesn't shame, compare, ostracize or demean me. The job I have now, my boss treats me with respect and encourages me to grow. Working has been a huge asset to my growth.
[[link removed]]
Can you talk about the impact friends/supporters have had on your trajectory in life?
While I was growing up, I was fortunate to have such an amazing mother and amazing sisters who were both so wonderful and who never stopped fighting for me. They made it their top priority to ensure that I got off to the best possible start in life. When I was in middle school, my mom was told about Special Olympics Michigan. I'm thankful she did because that is how I met Heather Burke.

Heather is someone when you hang around her long enough, she’ll end up getting you to believe in yourself and seeing that you are making a difference. For the first time last year, I told myself I was proud of myself. I was so excited, the first person I told was Heather. Heather has had a significant impact on my life. She’s always told me, "You've done the work; I've just been there to support you.”
How has your autism shaped you into the person you are today?
Growing up autistic was difficult, but it shaped me into the confident and self-reliant woman I am today. It has also given me the opportunity to be an advocate for others and a voice for those who do not have one.
How do you discover your passion for nutrition along your path to becoming a dietician?
I found my passion for nutrition by developing and designing a seven-week cooking class for Special Olympics Michigan athletes called “Let's Get Healthy Together.” Through this cooking class, I met Nick Caudle, who works for Special Olympics Michigan. As I worked with Nick, I started really loving nutrition and wanted to serve my Special Olympics athletes even more. Nick encouraged me to reach for the stars and told me that he’d be here for me in whatever capacity I needed. Thanks to Nick and my cooking class, I found my path to go to school to become a registered dietitian.
[[link removed]]
When facing new challenges and life changes, how do you cope with the anxieties that can come along with that?
Through EMDR, I was able to acquire the skills necessary to manage my anxiety. Prior to this therapy, this was something I struggled with. The beginning of a new academic year or a new job used to be challenging, but with the help of EMDR therapy, this is no longer the case.
When you reflect on your life to this point, of what are you most proud?
Getting this far! I didn't let my disability limit who I am or what I can do. This year, I got my executive leadership certificate, which was one of the proudest times of my life because I worked so hard to get it.
What is your connection to Autism Speaks and how has the organization touched your life or the lives of others in the autism community?
I first learned about Autism Speaks when I worked at Dollar General, and we were raising money for the organization which helped me learn about how the organization was improving the lives of people like me by creating a more welcoming and accepting workplace.
[[link removed]]
What advice can you give to other young autistic adults who are entering into a new stage of life?
Never let anyone tell you what you can and can't accomplish because of your disability and never let your disability define who you are. Go out and show the world what you are capable of and how amazing you are.
What are some things you wish neurotypical people understood better about people with autism?
I wish people understood that just because we have autism does not mean we are incapable of doing things. That has happened to me throughout my life, and I’ve been constantly fighting to disprove it.

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Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
© 2023 Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

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